Filtering-machine.



G. RIDGWAY.

FILTERING MACHINE.

APPLICATION 211.21) MAR. 30, 1900.

Patented Jan.4, 1910.

4 BHEETB-BHEET 1.

Q m u fio'v Q00 zy' 2226297712 y G. RIDGWAY.

PILTERING MACHINE. I

APPLICATION FILED MAR. so, 1906.

Patented Jan. 4

&

G. RIDGWAY.

PILTERING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. so, 1908.

Patented Jan.

4 sums-SHEET a.

I l l I III."-

G. RIDGWAY.

FILTERING MACHINE APPLIOATXON FILED MAR. 30, won.

Patented 36111.4, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

.r/lllllllI/lll I!) Y I subject U I E STATES: PATEnT (OFFICE.

GEORGE RIDGWAY, F KALGOORLIE, WESTEBIT AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA.

' FILTERING- MACHINE.

. Application filed March a 'To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonon RIDGWAY, a

Kalgoorlie, in thefitate of 'Western Australia, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented new and useful Improvements in F iltering-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This inventlon relates to'improvements in filtering machines for the treatment of'pulp and separating the liquid from the" solid portions, washing, drymg and discha'r ing the same: and it is specially designe to handlela large tonnage while occupying a small space, a'nd to make the action automatic and continuous.

In order that my invention be clearly understood both as toits construction and tion of the same.

elevation of the central chamber or column.

. of this annular troug pulp and washing sections A and D, I reilfgs, in which l Similar letters are used throu the method. of operation, I shall describe the same by the aid of the accompanying-draw- Figure 1 1s aplaii'view of a filtering inachine embodying the mai of off lines 2- 2 of Fig. 1, with certain of the connections shownin elevation. Fig. 2* is a fra entar elevational view looking in the directiono the arrow 2* of Fig: 1. I Fig. 3

is a sectional elevation of a filtering frame. Fig. 4 is a cross section of the same. Fig. 5 is aplan f of the quadrant and a portion of the tfackfor guidin it. Fig. 6 is an elevaig. 7 is a half sectional Fig. 8 is a section of the vacuum valve. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the air and water va ves. Fig. 10 is an elevation ofthe trigger gear for'same.

'hout the drawings to represent correspon mg parts 'wherever they occur.

of my invention, I make For the purpose or tank, which I divide an annular trough into. sections or compartments the section A, beingfor the reception of the pulp and D, for the reception of the washing fluid.

'This trough or tank is preferably of rectangular section, and is as large as'is necessary to allow of the required number of filtering frames B, being immersedsimultaneously for a certain period to obtain the desired thickness of ulp cake. A portion or tank between the serve for a drying and dumping space, marked respectively E and F. In the space of King Edward VII. residing at p features of my I invention; F g. 2 is a. sectional. view therefiltered pulp. I furnish both sections A and D, of thisannular trough or tank with agitating appliances as 0, operating near the bottom and preferably drlven from under: neath by means of gear'wheels, and on the or tank, I fit stufling boxes and glands.

At intervals around the outer and inner surfaces, near the to of the annular trough or tank A and D, fit grooved or flanged rollers as G, whose axles or gud' eons H, are set radially and' horizontally. 'now make a circular framework K, preferably of rectangular section, rigidly stayed, and underneath which I fit-concentri'c rails L, of such rollers G: To this upper framework K, I

gear, and engage with it a pinion N, or worm attache'd'to a spindle and operated .by belt or volved above the annulartrough or tank A with pivot holes X, at their angles or apices, and I attach rollers Z, ,to the sides of these quadrants. The peripheries of the arcs of the quadrants are grooved as A to receive a chain 13, or the like, and lugs and eyes 0 are formed at one end of the arcs for the I-now attach these quadrants W, to the lower wo'rk K, in such a manner that they are free to swin in a vertical plane, and so that their rollers engage under the guiding track R.

I now make a number of filtering frames B, each consisting of a pipe D bent in the form of a U with a horizontal bottom as E, which I perforate on the upper side as at K; the ends of this U shaped pipe are passed through'a bar or'block as F, and are nuts G and unions T, which also act as F, I fit a hopper to receive and deliverfthe spindles through the bottom "of the trough.

radii as to engage in the grooved or fianged attach a circular rack M, oftooth or worm' -other convenient drive as P, by'meansof whichlthe upper framework K, maybe re-@- and D, and the drying and dumping-space outside ring W, of therevolving framesecured to the same by means of the lock' Sp ecification of Letters Patent. I ,t t q Ja,j .4 19 1 o, 1908. Seria11o.424,17?.

I now make a number of quadrants W,

purpose of securing the ends of the chain B1- 1.0.0

. joints for the pipes. In the space between the pipe and the block, I place sheets of coir matting or some similar porous material, and cover the whole on both sides with canvas or filtercloth or. the-like. I make'a cap. or cover as N preferably of sheet iron, to fit over this block- F to the lower edge of which I fit a strip of metal P but held at a short distan ce apart by means of washers H or the like. These strips, P are used to clamp the top. edges of the canvas or filtercloth to the bar or block F I now attach a pipe or hose K to the top of this cap or a cover N and thus when water is admitted,-

'it will pass between the cap or cover N and the strip P and permit. the water to pass over the surfaces of the filtering-frames B,

. in a thin sheet. In addition to this means of wa hing off the cake, I place vtertical perfo-- rat d pipes G, between each pair of filtering frames B, and on-the outsideof the outer and inner frames, and spray the surfaces of the frames'with jets of'water While they are over the dumping space F. I place a number of these filtering frames B,'vertically side by side but a short distance apart, and hold them together by means of a bar or bracket M5 -the ends of which project beyond the outer surfaces of the filtering frames and arebored so as to engage a vertical rod N fitted in. the revolving framework K, so that theymay be raised into the framework K, or lowered into the troughs or tanks A. or D, under the said frame. I connect these filtering frames B, 'by means of pipes P tee pieces R and unions T which oin them to one end of the U shaped pipe D as at D and the tee pieces S are connected to the vacuum chamber A and the air chamber A. I set a number of axles P in bearings Q", across the top of this revolving fr me K, and attach thereto pulleys R and S ,-grooved to accommodate chainsor the like,,and provided with means of securing such chains or the like; to the said pulleys;

One pulley B on each axle I, I place vertically above the arcof the uadrant W, and attach the other end of the c ain B secured of such a length that when ithas nearly one coilon the pulley R the central radius of the quadrant W, is above the horizontal line, and whenuncoiled or in its lower position, the quadrant rollers G, are close up under the horizontal portion of the track R. The other grooved pulleys S1, are placed on each. axle P vertically above each set of filtering frames B, and I suspend these frames B, fromthe pulleys S by means of thechains "T or the like, so that when the.quadrant roller G, is under the track R, the pulley S will have nearly one coil of c am '1, and- "the filtering frames B, will be eldin their highest position and as the qua rant roller G, moves up the incline S,,towa the end of VI, of the revolving frame K, and remainthe track, the filtering frames B, are allowed 1 to fall to theirlowest position coming to rest by their cross bars M on the lower ring 'ing in that position until the quadrant rollers G,'eng'age in the inclined portion S, at the. other .end of the track R,-which depresses .the quadrant 'W, and consequently raises'thefiltering frames B, to their highest position. A set of frames B, will of necessity be ofgreater weight than one quadrant W. i I place as many of these series of filtering frames B, in the machine as it will accommodate, and I placethem so that their surfacesare circumferential, and they thus present their edges to the pulp and wash solutions as they pass through it.

' In the center of-this machine I place a chamber A portion of which revolves with the machine, and is connected to a fixed portion or base A by means of a packing box and gland B and supported by a bearing a ring withball or roller bearings. This central chamber is divided into three compartments, each of which is connected to the filtering frames B, by means of pipes valves and flexible hose. One cpmpartment C is for the vacuum and is connected by the radial pipesB valves F and hose G to the filterframes B; this'portion is directly connected to the fixed portion or base A which is divided into two parts by a vertical partition D for the purpose of receiving and delivering the'solution drawn from the pulp sepa, -rately from that drawn through the cake in 1 0 the process of washing. This fixed portion is connected to a vacuum pump or similar V machine through the branches Dfi. The up per compartment is for compressed air, and is connected to the vacuum hose C and thus to thefiltering frames B, by the valves F andthe hose G The third compartment W is for water and is connected to the caps or covers N on the filtering frames B, by the pipes B valves C and fiexible hose K The air and water are admitted to these chambers A and VV ,by means ofa double portpipe M and twopacking boxes and glandsHfand K Each one of these radial pipes for the'vacuuni, air. and water is fitted with a valve of such constructiomthat j when its spindle G is depressed, the vacu um "valve-F is closed. and the compressed air and water valves G and F are opened, and to the top of these valve spindles are fitted rollers as H or triggers as M ,,Wl1lCh at stated periods in the revolutions of the ma, chine, run u'ndergshoft tracks or plates as K or in thecase of the triggers M under a rolleras N thus opening or closing them at the time and for the-length of time that the circumstances require. Connections from the vacuum pump, compressed air and water supply are made to this central chamber A bv means "of packing boxes B. H and K chamber and delivered by the pump where required. The solid'matter accumulates on the'filtermg medium in the form of cakes or and on reaching the end of the said tank are zontal portion, raises that series of frames through the medium of the fixed portion A I and the pipe M enabling the central chamher to revolve while the base A? and the pipe I M remain stationary.

The method of operatingany invention is as follows :-I fill the first-portionzof the annulartrough or tank'A, withthe pulp required tobe filtered, and the second compart- 1 meat I), with the water or wash solution, and s'etthe machine in'.mo tion'.- .The agitators C, i in the pulp and wash-tanks A and D, keep i thesolidparti'oles ofithepulp in Suspension. Allzthe fil'ter'ing-i'ramesB, that are not in' 'contact through their quadrant rollers Gr, f with the track R. are immersed in the pulp v1 and wash tanks A andD, and the valves 13 I in the radial pipes BI are open and the compressed air and water valves F and C, are closed. thus the frames B, are subjected to the action of the vacuumand-the. liquid 1 ,matter lSiStlCkQd through the'filteringf-mei dium of the frames B, and the perforations K, in the U shaped pipes D ,into the vacuum layers. On each ef the series of filtering frames B, reaching near to the ends of the troughs A or D, the quad ant roller G belonging to that series engages the track R, at the point S; and passing down to the horiout ofthe trough or tank; At the same time otherfr'ames disengaging from the said track at the other end are lowered into the trough or tank: Y Thus the frames are lowered into the pulp tank A, and are carried along in it,

raised over the partition T,-and lowered into the wash tank 'D, and conveyed through it and again raised out of it and'then carried along in the elevated position until again lowered into the pulp tank A. The vacuum is still retained in these frames-B, while they are over the drying space E, and thus the greater portion of the moisture is sucked out of the pulp On reaching the discharge hopper F, the vacuum valve F -in the radial pipe B1 engages with the track or plate K", i and by depressing the spindle G closes itand at the same time the compressed air and water valves F and C are engaged by their respective tracks F t and E. and compressed air thus admitted to the inside of the filtering frames B, thus loosening or cracking the cake or 1a yer of pulp and the stream of water flowing down the filtering surfaces removes the cake orlayer which drops into the hopper F, and is removed by sluicing, pumping or other means. \Vhen each series of filtering frames B. has passed-the discharge hopper F, the valvesare disengaged from their tracks, plates or rollers, and the air and water valves closed and the vacuum valves opened, as the frames B areimmersed in the pulp the partition T, and the track R opposite to it, in which case when the frames B, were raised from the pulp tank A, they would be supported in the elevated position until dried and dumped. The action of the valves would be similar to the former method.

I am aware that prior to my invention vacuum filtering machines have been used in which the filtering-frames have been in -mcrsed m pulp tanks, I therefore do not claim such a combination broadly; but

\Vhat 1 claim as my invention, and clesire .to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. ln'improvements in filtering machines, annular trough or troughs fitted with agitator gear, a drying space and dumping hopper, a set of rollers radially arranged on said trough, a circular framework carried on said rollers and operated by gearing, guiding track or tracks attached to sail trough, quadrants attached to said revolving framework with vertical action, chains or ropes attached to said quadrants and carried on the peripheries of their arcs, spindles or axles arranged on said revolving framework having grooved wheel's connected with the said gqua'drant chains, also grooved wheels from which filtering frames are suspended, filtering frames having caps or covers with slots or openings contiguous to the filtering surfaces, a central chamber with three compartments, pipes and hose connections from the central chamber to the filtering frames, valves in said pipes and tracks. means for actuating said valves, spraying pipes arranged to spray the filtering surfaces, the whole comprising a pulp filtering machine for automatically carrying, raising and lowering the filter frames, filtering,

washilw and drying the pulp and dumping the residues, as dcscribcd and illust -ated in the accompanying drawings.

2. In improvements in filtering machines, an annular trough divided into compartments and fitted with agitating appliances, a circular carriage carried on rollers above said annular troiwh and arranged to revolve concentrically, fitcring frames adjustably suspended in the said circular carriage, chain and axle'gear actuated by aguiding track as means of raising and lowering the said filtering frames out of and into the said annular trough while being carried around by the said circular carriage, a ccntralcolunm divided into compartments separately connected to the said filtering frames, valves and tracks for actuating same, automatically operring and closing connection between said filtering "frames and central column and chamber, a cap or cover on said filtering nular trough, filtering frames arranged to distribute water over the filtering surfaces, and perforated pipes arranged to spray the filtering surfaces sub? stantially as shown .and for, the purpose specified. r 3. In improvements, in filtering machines, an annular trough or tank divided by a partition into compartments and fitted with,

-agitating appliances; an annular carriage supply and vacuum, packing boxes-and glands on stationary parts and pipes, permit-ting portions to revolve. with the carriage, pipes, hose and valve connections from separate chambers in the said column to the filtering frames, means for actuating the said valves, automatically opening and closing connection between the filtering frames and-central column, a cap or cover on filtering frames arranged to distribute water over the filtering surfaces and perforated pipes 4 members, valved connections between said for spraying the same While over the dumping space, as described and illustrated. V

4. An annular trough or tank or series of segmental troughs fitted with agitators? drying space and dumping hopper in combination with a concentrically revolving frame or carriage, fitted with adjustably suspended filtering. frames, chain and axle and means for automatically immersing-the said filtering frames-in the said trough or troughs and raising them therefrom, uiding, tracks for actuating same, a centra columnv having separate compartments, connections therefrom having valves, 'ineans for automatically opening said valves, means for connecting the filtering frames with 'a source of pressure supply or vacuum, compressed'ai orwat-er, a fixed base with gland boxand a dividing partition for separate solutions,

- also'spraying pipes in juxtaposition to fil 5. A filter com risin tering frames over the dumping space, thereby filtering pulp, washing, drying and dumping the same, automatically and con-i tinuously as described and illustrated.

in combination, a

, circular tank provided with partitions divide. ing it into a pulp section, a wash section, a

drying section and a dumping section provided with cam tracks, a circular frame rocircular tank divided into :1. sections, a plurality of filters adapted to be flowered into and raised out of means for carrying and rotating said filters compressed aircha-mber and a water cham- Qber communicating with said upper member and a vacuum chamber communicating with said lowerfimember, valved connections be- ,tween'said filter and said air, water and vacuum chambers, and means for automatically operating said valves to effect and cut off communication between said filter and chambers atpredetermined times:

6. A filter comprising in combination, a

circular tank provided with partitions di- "vided into a plurality of sections, cam tracks engaging said tank, a circular frame rotatably mounted on said tank, a plurality of sets of filters'movably suspended from said frame, filter lifting members connected with said'filters and actuated by said cam shaft for lifting said filters over said partition, stationary members connected with a source of supply of compressed air, water and av vacuum creating device, a rotatable member mounted in said stationary member and provided with an air, water and vacuum member communicating with said stationary chambers and"cyli nders, andmeans for actuating said valves at predetermined times.

71 A filter comprising in combination, a:

circiilar tank divided into sections, a frame rotatably mounted above said sections, filters movably su'sp ended from said frame and adapted forimmergence in said sections,

cam tracks, filt'er'lifting members connected with said filters and actuated by said cam tracks for lifting said filters, connections besource of-pressure tween said filters'and a supply of air and water and a vacuum creating device, and means for controlling communication between said filters and said air,

water and vacuum creating device,

8. A'filter comprising in combination, a i

said sections,

a Y vacuum chamber,

plurality of out of and into said sections, and a rotatable means communicating I respectively with a source-of supply of air,

water and a vacuum creating device, and controllable means for establishing and cuttions, a plurality of filters adapted to be bodily rotated through said sections, means for suspending said said sections, a stationary member connected with a source of supply of air and water, a stationary member connected with a vacuum creating device, a rotatable member mounted in said stationary members and and controllable means connecting said champrovided with an air chamber, awater chamber-and a vacuum chamber communicating respectively with the sourceof supply of air, Water and said vacuum creating-device,

bers with said filters.

10. A filter comprising in, combination, a circular tank divided into a lurality of sections, a plurality of filtersa apted to be carried throu h said sections, movable means sections, an

w th a source of su ply of air, water and a for suspen ing said filters, means for raisin and lowerin' said filters out of and into sal a movable member connected and controllable vacuum' creating evice,

means connecting said members withsaid.

filters, means for rais-- mg and lowering said filters out of and into filters to supply the same with air, water and to establish a vacuum therein.

11. A filter comprising in combination, a circular tank divided into a plurality of sections, a frame movably mounted on said sections and upon said tank, a cam track, a plurality of filters mounted on said frame lter actuating members carried by said frame and connected with said filters and operated by said-track, and controllable means for connecting said filters with independent sources of supply of air and water,

and a vacuum creating device.

12. A filter comprising in combination, a A

circular tank divided into a plurality of sections, a movable frame, a plurality of fil ters suspended from said frame and carried thereby to-said sections, filter lifting mem- V bers'carried by sai frame and connected. with said filters, a cam track for operating said filter members, and means for connecting said filters with a source of sup 1y of air and water and a vacuum creating evice. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- GEORGE RIDGWAY.

Witnesses: L

SIDNEY Anion) TUBE, WILLIAM Gnonon Mannnns. 

